Munsch 20-K game nets national award from NCBWA

SEWARD, Neb. – For the second week in a row, a pitcher from the Concordia University baseball program was named the NAIA National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). This time the honor goes to senior Jason Munsch (as announced on March 12), who struck out 20 Morningside hitters on March 7 at the Tucson Invitational. Teammate Nick Little garnered the same award on March 5.

Munsch has been close to unhittable so far in 2020. The native of Campbell, Calif., broke the school record for strikeouts in a single game with his Kerry Wood-esque performance in Tucson, Ariz. Over his seven innings of work, Munsch struck out the side in all but one of those frames. He scattered six hits and did not issue a single free pass in seven scoreless frames. No NAIA pitcher had struck out 20 batters in a game since 2014.

The program’s all-time strikeout leader, Munsch sports video game numbers this season. Through three starts (19 innings), he has yet to allow an earned run while striking out 43 hitters. His strikeout rate of 20.37 K’s per nine innings ranks No. 1 among all NAIA pitchers. Opposing hitters are batting .138 against Munsch.

Munsch and the Bulldogs (12-7) are set to open conference play today (March 13) with a 1 p.m. CT doubleheader at Briar Cliff.